Marijuana is the word used to describe the dried flowers, seeds and leaves of the Indian hemp plant. On the street, it is called by many other names, such as: astro turf, bhang, dagga, dope, ganja, grass, hemp, home grown, J, Mary Jane, pot, reefer, roach, Texas tea and weed.

Hashish is a related form of the drug, made from the resins of the Indian hemp plant. Also called chocolate, hash or shit, it is on average six times stronger than marijuana. ?Cannabis? describes any of the different drugs that come from Indian hemp, including marijuana and hashish. Regardless of the name, this drug is a hallucinogen?a substance which distorts how the mind perceives the world you live in. HOW IS IT USED? Marijuana is usually green, brown or gray in color. Hashish is tan, brown or black resin that is dried and pressed into bars, sticks or balls. When smoked, both marijuana and hashish give off a distinctive, sweet odor. Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug in the world. A survey conducted in 2007 found that 14.4 million individuals in the US alone had smoked marijuana at least once during the previous month. When a person smokes a joint, he usually feels its effect within minutes. The immediate sensations?increased heart rate, lessened coordination and balance, and a ?dreamy,? unreal state of mind?peak within the first 30 minutes. These short-term effects usually wear off in two to three hours, but they could last longer, depending on how much the user takes, the potency of THC and the presence of other drugs added into the mix. As the typical user inhales more smoke and holds it longer than he would with a cigarette, a joint creates a severe impact on one?s lungs. Aside from the discomfort that goes with sore throats and chest colds, it has been found that consuming one joint gives as much exposure to cancer-producing chemicals as smoking five cigarettes. The mental consequences of marijuana use are equally severe. Marijuana smokers have poorer memories and mental aptitude than do non-users. Animals given marijuana by researchers have even suffered structural damage to the brain. Inspirated in the L. Ron Hubbard's Works, Narconon provides drug information, education about the effects of drugs and effective drug rehabilitation programs for those already in the grip of addiction. For more information www.narconon.org